Bulls Drop Hard Fought Decision To RoadRunners 5-3

AMARILLO, TX – The Amarillo Bulls surrendered two goals 76 seconds apart in the second period and dropped a 5-3 decision to the Topeka RoadRunners on Sunday night at The Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center.

The top two teams in the NAHL stuck to playing hockey after a rough and tough game on Saturday night that featured over 200 penalty minutes. It was just the Bulls second regulation loss in their last 11 games.

All of the offense happened in the opening 40 minutes of play. The two teams, which played their third game in three nights, battled hard throughout the third period but could only generate a combined 12 shots on goal.

In the opening period, the Amarillo Bulls struck first on the power play when Joe Kozlak deflected home a shot from Dan McDougall at the 7:31 mark. Dan Sherer also earned an assist on the goal. The RoadRunners tied the game five minutes later, and then took the lead with 13 seconds remaining in the stanza.

Matt Johnson tied the game up for Amarillo just 15 seconds into the second period from Zack Smoot and Dan Sherer. However, the RoadRunners were able to score two goals 1:16 apart to make it 4-2. The Bulls continued to move forward, and got the deficit reduced to 4-3 when Dan Sherer’s backhand shot found the back of the net from Smoot at 10:55. The RoadRunners regained their two goal lead with a marker in the final three minutes of the stanza.

Topeka outshot Amarillo 37-27, including 17-11 in the second period. There were a total of 10 power plays in the game with the Bulls going 1 for 6 and the RoadRunners were 0 for 4.

The Amarillo Bulls return to action on Wednesday when they visit the Wichita Falls Wildcats at 7 pm at Kay Yeager Coliseum. Fans can tune into the game live on ESPN1440 and www.amarillobulls.com, beginning with The Bulls Warm Up Show Presented By Wayland Baptist University at 6:45 pm. Denis J. Puska has all of the action at 7 pm. The game is also available on Pay-Per-View courtesy of Fast Hockey, and a high speed internet connection is required in order to view the game.

Hockey is back at The Bull Pen in the Amarillo Civic Center on Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 when the Bulls host the Corpus Christi IceRays at 7 pm and 6 pm respectively. Tickets are available at all Panhandle Ticket Outlets, including United Supermarkets, Civic Center Box Office or online at www.amarillobulls.com. For further information regarding group rates, playoff packages or to purchase single game tickets, please call the Bulls Office at 806-242-1122.